PANAJI: As onion prices in Goa continue to rise owing to shortage, Belagavi-based suppliers are awaiting imported onions in hopes for the market situation to normalise.
“We have been informed that the country is likely to import onions from Egypt in order to meet the demand in India. These are expected to arrive in another fortnight or so,” said Sreenath A, who supplies vegetables to Goa.
“Due to heavy rainfall, the onion crop in many parts has been destroyed in the farms itself. This has caused onions to be priced at Rs 90 at our end,” he added.
Ramesh Pawale, a prominent vegetable supplier in Goa, said that onion prices in Belagavi are currently fluctuating between Rs 85 to Rs 95 per kg, depending on the size.
“We are currently reliant on onions coming in from Maharashtra to supply to vendors in Goa. As long as this supply continues, we can fulfil Goa’s demand. The prices, however, will continue to be high,” he said.
Pawale said that fresh onions are expected to be supplied from Turkey as well, but he isn’t very confident about the pungency levels of the foreign bulbs.
“The taste of spice that Turkish onions generate is different from that of local one. The Turkish onions can therefore be used in salads or side dishes, but wouldn’t be best for use in curries,” he said.
Other suppliers said that the prices will remain stable, but they can rise if the rain causes further damage to crops.
Abdul Niralgi, who has been sourcing vegetables from Hubbali to market in Goa, said that farmers who had managed to save their crop from the heavy rain lost it during the sun-drying process after it got wet in the rain.
“Under these circumstances, the price rise will continue till the end of October. However, if spells of rain do not stop, the farmers will have to bear further losses and there will be no end to inflation,” he said.